Method and system for an exercise device

ABSTRACT

A method and an exercise device for exercising the upper and the lower abdominal muscles and the lower back of a user are provided. The exercise device includes a first portion and at least one of a first extension hingedly coupled to a first end of the first portion and a second extension hingedly coupled to a second opposite end of the first portion, each of the first and second extensions including a flat bottom wall, a top surface, a pair of opposing side walls, and a resilient material extending between the bottom wall and the top surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention relates generally to exercise equipment, and more specifically, to apparatus and methods of strengthening the abdominal muscles and the lower back muscles.

Many exercise positions and motions used to strengthen muscles are performed such that the muscle or muscle group of which the muscle is a part are isolated when performing the exercise. For example, when strengthening the muscles of the abdomen or lower back, sit-ups, crunches and leg lifts may be performed from a supine position.

For comfort and isolation of the muscles, an assistance device may be used. At least one such device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,765 to Frederick Koch, which describes an exercise device which exercises the abdominal muscles over their full range of motion, which makes the abdominal muscles work fully, and which exercises the lower abdominal muscle and the lower back muscles as well as the upper abdominal muscles.

However, such devices may not extend sufficiently to provide adequate cushioning of the body during the exercise or may be difficult to maintain in place during the exercise. There is a need for additional support and cushioning for the user during exercise periods using abdominal and back muscle conditioning equipment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, an exercise device for exercising the upper and the lower abdominal muscles and the lower back of a user includes a first portion that includes a flat bottom wall, a pair of opposing side walls, a central section having a generally flat top surface, the plane of the top surface being generally parallel to the plane of the bottom wall, a first end section attached to a first end of the central section, the first end section having a top surface inclined with respect to the bottom wall at a first angle, and a second end section attached to a second opposing end of the central section, the second end section having a top surface inclined with respect to the bottom wall at a second angle. The exercise device also includes at least one of a first extension hingedly coupled to a first end of the first portion and a second extension hingedly coupled to a second opposite end of the first portion, each of the first and second extensions including a flat bottom wall, a top surface, a pair of opposing side walls, and a resilient material extending between the bottom wall and the top surface.

In another embodiment, a method of forming an exercise device includes forming a first portion having a planar bottom surface and an arcuate cross-section, the arcuate cross-section having a first height at an apex of the arc, the first portion formed of a resilient material and forming a first extension hingedly coupled to a first edge of the first portion, the first extension having a planar bottom surface co-planar with the bottom surface of the first portion, the first extension formed of a resilient material.

In still another embodiment, an exercise device includes a first portion including a flat bottom wall, a pair of opposing side walls, a central section having an arcuate upper surface, the plane of the top surface being generally parallel to the plane of the bottom wall, and at least one of a first extension hingedly coupled to a first end of the first portion and a second extension hingedly coupled to a second opposite end of the first portion. Each of the first and second extensions including a flat bottom wall coplanar with the flat bottom wall of the first portion when fully extended, a top surface, a pair of opposing side walls, and a resilient material extending between the bottom wall and the top surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-14 show exemplary embodiments of the method and apparatus described herein.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exercise device for exercising the upper and the lower abdominal muscles and the lower back of a user in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the exercise device.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the exercise device.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an exercise device for exercising the upper and the lower abdominal muscles and the lower back of a user in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the exercise device.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the exercise device.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an exercise device for exercising the upper and the lower abdominal muscles and the lower back of a user in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the exercise device.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the exercise device.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of an exercise device for exercising the upper and the lower abdominal muscles and the lower back of a user in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the exercise device.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of an exercise device for exercising the upper and the lower abdominal muscles and the lower back of a user in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of the exercise device.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the exercise device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description illustrates embodiments of the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. It is contemplated that the invention has general application to embodiments of providing exercise in commercial and residential applications.

As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and preceded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exercise device 100 for exercising the upper and the lower abdominal muscles and the lower back of a user in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of exercise device 100. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of exercise device 100. In the exemplary embodiment, exercise device 100 includes a first portion 102 including a flat bottom wall 104, a pair of opposing sidewalls 106, 108, a central section 110 having a flat top surface 112, a plane 114 of top surface 112 being generally parallel to a plane 116 of bottom wall 104. First portion 102 also includes a first end section 118 attached to a first end 120 of central section 110. First end section 118 includes a top surface 120 inclined with respect to bottom wall 104 at a first angle 122. First portion 102 also includes a second end section 124 attached to a second opposing end of central section 110. Second end section 124 includes a top surface inclined with respect to bottom wall 104 at a second angle 126. In various embodiments, first angle 122 is equal to second angle 126. In other embodiments, first angle 122 is greater than second angle 126.

Exercise device 100 further includes at least one extension 128 hingedly coupled to first portion 102. Although shown in FIGS. 1-3 as having one extension 128 coupled to first portion 102, additional extensions may also be included and attached to first portion 102. For example, in the exemplary embodiment, first portion 102 includes a second extension 130 hingedly coupled to a second opposite end 132 of first portion 102. Also, in the exemplary embodiment, each of first extension and second extension include a flat bottom wall 134, a top surface 136, a pair of opposing side walls 138, 140, and a resilient material (not shown) extending between bottom wall 134 and top surface 136. In various embodiments, the resilient material may comprise a foam, matting, or solid resilient material, such as, rubber, for example.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an exercise device 400 for exercising the upper and the lower abdominal muscles and the lower back of a user in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of exercise device 400. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of exercise device 400. In the exemplary embodiment, at least one of a first extension 402 and a second extension 404 includes a top surface 406 that includes a lateral ridge 408 extending at least partially from a first sidewall 410 of a pair of opposing sidewalls of extension 402 to a second sidewall 412 of the pair of opposing sidewalls of extension 402. Although shown in FIGS. 4-6 as extending from sidewall 410 to sidewall 412, ridge 408 may not extend so far. Ridge 408 is intended to inhibit a user from sliding along extension 402 during an exercise motion.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an exercise device 700 for exercising the upper and the lower abdominal muscles and the lower back of a user in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of exercise device 700. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of exercise device 700. In the exemplary embodiment, exercise device 700 includes a first extension 702 that includes a top surface 704 that is inclined with respect to a bottom wall 706 of extension 702. Exercise device 700 also includes a second extension 708 that includes a top surface 710 that is parallel with respect to a bottom wall 712 of extension 708.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of an exercise device 1000 for exercising the upper and the lower abdominal muscles and the lower back of a user in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of exercise device 1000. In the exemplary embodiment, exercise device 1000 includes a first portion 1002 having an extension on a plurality of sides of exercise device 1000. For example, exercise device 1000 includes a first extension 1004, a second extension 1006, a third extension 1008, and a fourth extension 1010. Although illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 as having a flat upper surface that is parallel to a bottom surface, each of the extensions may include surface features, such as, those discussed elsewhere herein. For example, any of the extensions may include a wedge cross-section, a lateral ridge, a tailbone cushion, other surface feature, or combinations thereof.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of an exercise device 1200 for exercising the upper and the lower abdominal muscles and the lower back of a user in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of exercise device 1200. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of exercise device 1200. In the exemplary embodiment, exercise device 1200 includes a first portion 1201 having an extension on one or more sides of first portion 1001. At least one of a first extension 1202 and a second extension 1204 includes a top surface 1206 that includes a triangular cushion portion 1208 extending from a first edge 1210 of the respective extension that is proximate first portion 1201. Ridge 408 is intended to cushion a tailbone of a user during an exercise motion.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. 

1. An exercise device for exercising the upper and the lower abdominal muscles and the lower back of a user, said exercise device comprising: a first portion comprising: a flat bottom wall; a pair of opposing side walls; a central section having a generally flat top surface, the plane of said top surface being generally parallel to the plane of said bottom wall; a first end section attached to a first end of said central section, said first end section having a top surface inclined with respect to said bottom wall at a first angle; a second end section attached to a second opposing end of said central section, said second end section having a top surface inclined with respect to said bottom wall at a second angle; and at least one of a first extension hingedly coupled to a first end of said first portion and a second extension hingedly coupled to a second opposite end of said first portion, each of said first and second extensions comprising: a flat bottom wall; a top surface; a pair of opposing side walls; and a resilient material extending between said bottom wall and said top surface.
 2. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said first and second angles are equal.
 3. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said first angle is greater than said second angle.
 4. The exercise device of claim 1, comprising only a first extension wherein said first extension is hingedly coupled to said first end section.
 5. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said first extension is hingedly coupled to said first end section and said second extension is hingedly coupled to said second section.
 6. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said first extension is hingedly coupled to said second end section and said second extension is hingedly coupled to said first section.
 7. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second extensions comprises a top surface that is inclined with respect to said flat bottom wall.
 8. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second extensions comprises a top surface that includes a lateral ridge extending at least partially from one of the pair of opposing sidewalls of the extension to the other of the pair of opposing sidewalls of the extension.
 9. The exercise device of claim 1, further comprising at least one lateral extension hingedly coupled to a first side of said first portion and a second lateral extension hingedly coupled to a second opposite side of said first portion, each of said first and second extensions comprising: a flat bottom wall; a top surface; a pair of opposing side walls; and a resilient material extending between said bottom wall and said top surface.
 10. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second extensions comprises a top surface that includes a triangular cushion portion configured to receive a tailbone of a user.
 11. A method of forming an exercise device, said method comprising: forming a first portion having a planar bottom surface and an arcuate cross-section, the arcuate cross-section having a first height at an apex of the arc, the first portion formed of a resilient material; and forming a first extension hingedly coupled to a first edge of the first portion, the first extension having a planar bottom surface co-planar with the bottom surface of the first portion, the first extension formed of a resilient material.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising forming a second extension hingedly coupled to a second edge of the first portion, the second extension having a planar bottom surface co-planar with the bottom surface of the first portion, the second extension formed of a resilient material.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising folding the second extension about a hinged connection coupling the second extension to the second edge of the first portion such that the planar bottom surface of the second extension is adjacent to at least one of the planar bottom surface of the first portion and a top surface of the first extension.
 14. The method of claim 11, further comprising folding the first extension about a hinged connection coupling the first extension to the first edge of the first portion such that the planar bottom surface of the first extension is adjacent the planar bottom surface of the first portion.
 15. An exercise device comprising: a first portion comprising: a flat bottom wall; a pair of opposing side walls; a central section having an arcuate upper surface, the plane of said top surface being generally parallel to the plane of said bottom wall; and at least one of a first extension hingedly coupled to a first end of said first portion and a second extension hingedly coupled to a second opposite end of said first portion, each of said first and second extensions comprising: a flat bottom wall coplanar with the flat bottom wall of the first portion when fully extended; a top surface; a pair of opposing side walls; and a resilient material extending between said bottom wall and said top surface.
 16. The exercise device of claim 15, comprising only a first extension wherein said first extension is hingedly coupled to said first end section.
 17. The exercise device of claim 15, comprising only a first extension wherein said first extension is hingedly coupled to said second end section.
 18. The exercise device of claim 15, wherein said first extension is hingedly coupled to said first end section and said second extension is hingedly coupled to said second section.
 19. The exercise device of claim 15, wherein at least one of said first and second extensions comprises a top surface that is inclined with respect to said flat bottom wall.
 20. The exercise device of claim 15, wherein at least one of said first and second extensions comprises a top surface that includes a lateral ridge extending at least partially from one of the pair of opposing sidewalls of the extension to the other of the pair of opposing sidewalls of the extension. 